Fees and Billing

  • Currently, Dr. Patterson’s services are not credentialed with individual insurance companies, and she is considered an “out-of-network” provider. She does not bill insurance directly.

    Choosing self-pay therapy offers several benefits, including enhanced confidentiality, more personalized care, and greater flexibility in scheduling. Some clients are eligible for partial reimbursement, depending on their out-of-network benefits.

     Dr. Patterson can provide monthly superbills—detailed receipts that include all the information typically required by insurance companies for reimbursement of out-of-network services. You may be able to submit these directly to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

  • Choosing private pay therapy offers greater scheduling flexibility, privacy, and a more personalized approach to care. Many clients find it allows therapy to better reflect their needs, goals, and values—without the constraints that can come with insurance-based treatment.

    Some benefits of private pay therapy include:

    • Greater privacy and confidentiality. Insurance companies often require diagnoses and treatment details; private pay allows therapy to remain between you and your therapist.

    • More flexibility in treatment. Sessions aren’t limited by insurance requirements around length, frequency, or type of therapy.

    • A focus on your goals—not insurance criteria. We can work on what feels most meaningful and relevant to you, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into a diagnostic box.

    • Consistency of care. Private pay reduces disruptions related to insurance changes, authorizations, or coverage limits.

    • Collaboration without pressure. Treatment decisions are guided by what’s clinically helpful for you, rather than what an insurance plan will approve.

    Some clients also choose private pay while using out-of-network benefits, which may allow for partial reimbursement. Dr. Patterson is always happy to help you think through whether private pay is a good fit for your situation and answer any questions along the way.

  • Yes, it's a good idea to contact your insurance provider before scheduling your first session. You can find the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. When you call, consider asking the following questions to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits better:

    • What are my out-of-network mental health benefits?

    • How many therapy sessions per year are covered?

    • Do I have an out-of-network deductible? If so, what is the amount, and do services from other out-of-network providers count toward it?

    • Do I need a referral or prior authorization from my primary care provider to be reimbursed for therapy with an out-of-network provider?

    • After meeting my deductible, what percentage of the session fee is reimbursed?
      Note: Your insurance company may reimburse based on a standard rate that differs from Dr. Patterson’s session fee.

    • When does my deductible reset?

    For more information related to health insurance terminology, visit the CMS website.

  • Therapy is an important investment of both your time and resources. After your first appointment, Dr. Patterson will put together a personalized treatment plan that includes an estimate of how many sessions might be helpful and the associated costs. She uses evidence-based therapy methods that typically have a recommended number of sessions, but everyone’s journey is unique. Some people may need or want to continue beyond that timeframe, and that’s completely okay.

    2026 Fees:

    Initial Assessment: $275

    50 Minute Sessions: $200

  • To ensure a seamless process and allow us to focus on your care, we kindly request that clients keep a payment method on file and opt in to automatic billing. Payment is due at the time of each session.

  • In many cases, yes. Therapy with a licensed psychologist is typically considered an eligible expense for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Many clients choose to use these funds to pay for sessions, which can make private pay therapy more affordable.

    Coverage rules can vary by plan, so it’s always a good idea to check directly with your FSA or HSA administrator if you have questions about eligibility or documentation. Dr. Patterson is happy to provide receipts or documentation as needed to support reimbursement.

  • Dr. Patterson offers a limited number of lower-cost sliding-scale therapy slots. At this time, all sliding scale slots are full.